Tranny Fluid Starvation + Metal Particles

[moving2]

I have 90k mi. on my A343F transmission in a 1997 Toyota Landcruiser. It had it's transmission fluid drained/filled with Mobil 1 synth. ATF at 30K and 45K mi. It had a full fluid exchange with Mobil 1 synth. ATF at 60K mi. At this time, the tech doing the fluid exchange underfilled the transmission by more than 1 Qt. I drove it this way for the next 15K mi, during which time (rarely) when I could come to a sudden stop and then accelerate, the vehicle would not move and then it would suddenly and harshly "kick" into gear. I later realized this was from fluid starvation to the transmission since it was low on fluid. I filled it and the problem stopped. Stupid to let it go this long, bu that's what happened.

I did another drain/fill at 75K mi., and I finally dropped the pan, cleaned the pan/screen/magnets, and then did a fluid exchange at 90K mi, so this was the first time the pan was dropped. When I examined the pan, the fluid looked bright red and smelled fine, the magnets were coated with grey particulate matter, and I saw some fine shiny metallic particles in the fluid. Is this normal considering it is the first time the pan has been dropped in 90k mi, or do you think this is a result of the previous fluid starvation condition? I have no problems with the transmission right now- no strange noises and it shifts fine. Should I be concerned about permanent damage?

 

[porcupine73]

Is the Mobil 1 syn ATF recommended for that Toyota application? I thought Toyota's liked their own fluid like ATF-T-IV or something.

Well if it really was starving for fluid that is bad as it may have allowed the clutches to slip and they will wear out fast if that happens and that may be what the metal shavings you see are from although the fine metal gray stuff you saw is pretty much normal.

If you were getting stiff/harsh shifts that might have been because most AT's as soon as they realize there is any slippage they increase the line pressure to try to stop the slipping but it also causes firmer shifts.

 

[Cicero17]

"I thought Toyota's liked their own fluid like ATF-T-IV or something."

When I wanted ATF for my son's Camry I called the Toyota dealer to see how much their oil was. I was told they don't have any since Toyotas use any Mercon III ATF.

 

[moving2]

Toyota's newer transmissions require special ATF. This particular transmission requires Dexron II or III. I guess I'm just wondering if some tiny metal particles are normal the first time the pan is dropped after 90k mi.

 

[JTK]

A little over a qt low in a maybe a 10-12qt system should be ok provided the unit wasnt worked overly hard in that 15Kmi. I'd expect some gray paste and a small amount of glitter in a 10yr old, 90Kmi trans.

Joel

 

[JerryS]

http://theoildrop.server101.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=UBB16&Number=516560

http://theoildrop.server101.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=UBB6&Number=347504

For some unbelievable reason, I think I remember these two people both saying that the ATF was at the "full" mark on the dipstick when maintenance was done, and their transmissions both shift quite well currently. Similar mileage, but different transmission, I know... I know... but my point is that seeing this kind of debris is not AUTOMATICALLY an indicator of massive lubrication failure.

Your transmission may wear differently, or be more sensitive to certain types of contamination/wear, however, so you would need to seek the qualified opinion of someone with a more intimate knowledge of this transmission (and oil in general I suppose) to really tell you if you were up "shift" creek without a paddle or not. Hope this helps.

 

[The Critic]

Well, my mom's GM TAAT unit with a 7.4 qt capacity was run 1-2 qts low for 15-20k miles, and when I changed the fluid two weeks ago, I didn't see any metal particles in the oil. It was bright red, and had 25k miles on it, with about 2 qts of top=-up once I began looking at the car. The spin-on filter didn't have metallic flakes in it either. Then again, there's no serviceable magnet...